Wellington planning board approves mixed-use land‑use change for K Park

The Wellington Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board voted unanimously Feb. 19 to approve a village‑initiated comprehensive plan amendment to change the future land‑use designation of the 71.28‑acre site known as K Park to mixed use (PZ0368; Ordinance 202504).

Tim Sillings, of the Wellington Planning Department, told the board the site is currently designated mostly as community facilities with a 5.3‑acre commercial corner and that the proposed change would allow a mixed‑use master plan. “This proposal is to change that, to a mixed use, land use,” Sillings said, adding that the amendment is being advanced at the direction of the village manager to align the parcel’s designation with the council’s vision and a pending purchase‑and‑sale activity.

The staff report entered file 2025‑002‑CPA and concluded the requested amendment complies with the comprehensive plan’s goals, objectives and policies, Sillings said. He summarized site history: acquisition from Mr. Kaylor, an earlier 2008 development contract that later withdrew, and a 2010 lease to Jay Alderman Farms for agricultural use.

Sillings outlined key development parameters and constraints included in the staff analysis: a floor‑area ratio of 0.5, a residential density up to 22 dwelling units per acre applied across the full 71+‑acre site, required civic and parkland dedications or in‑lieu payments, and a requirement for a school‑compatibility determination from the Palm Beach County School District as part of any rezoning or master‑plan application. Using an example cited by staff, a 500‑unit project (estimated roughly 1,500 residents) would generate a park dedication obligation on the order of 7.5 acres of parkland and about 1.5 acres of civic land; Sillings said developers can pursue a blend of on‑site dedication, privately owned but publicly available space, and in‑lieu funds where necessary.

On transportation, Sillings said the village traffic engineer’s analysis found no change in the roadway level of service between the existing and proposed land uses but that a more detailed concurrency traffic analysis and coordination with Palm Beach County will be required at the master‑plan or rezoning stage.

Board members pressed on walkability, connectivity and green‑space preservation. A member asked whether the change would promote walkability and connections to nearby commercial centers; Sillings replied that the parcel is treated as infill with existing infrastructure on State Road 7 and pointed to regional Transportation Planning Agency work and a DOT feasibility study examining longer‑range transit options for the corridor.

After opening and closing a public hearing with no speakers, the board addressed a clerical date error in the staff report that staff agreed to correct before transmittal. Board member Jeff moved to approve PZ0368 / Ordinance 202504 for K Park; a second motion followed and the board voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously.

The ordinance and associated comprehensive‑plan amendment will move next to the Wellington Village Council for public readings; staff noted state statutory timing between first and second readings (an automatic 30‑day gap) will apply.

Meeting minutes and the staff report will be corrected for the clerical date error noted during discussion.